When it comes to saving money on hotel stays, several credit cards offer travel credits when booking through their respective travel portals. While these credits aren’t usually the reason to keep a credit card, they can help to offset the annual fees. Here’s a breakdown of the top credit cards that offer travel credits for hotel bookings through their portals.
Chase Sapphire Preferred®
$50 Annual Hotel Credit
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® card provides up to $50 in statement credits each year for hotel stays booked through the Ultimate Rewards travel portal. The credit is automatically applied to your account when you use the card to pay for hotel accommodation purchases made through Chase Travel. Remember that the $50 is based on your account anniversary. I’d use this benefit if you’re ever staying at a hotel with no loyalty program, as long as it’s the same price as booking direct.
Citi Strata Premier®
$100 Hotel Savings Benefit
With the Citi Strata Premier® card, you can enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more when booked through the ThankYou travel portal. To receive the savings, you must pre-pay for your stay using your Citi Strata Premier card, ThankYou points, or a combination of the two. The savings will show up at the time of booking. This benefit is available once per year, and it’s a great way to save on longer hotel stays. However, as with all third-party booking portals, you’ll miss out on earning hotel loyalty points or elite status benefits during your stay, although some hotels may still offer on-site perks.
Delta SkyMiles American Express® Cards
Delta Stays Credits
For frequent Delta flyers, the SkyMiles American Express® cards offer valuable statement credits for hotel bookings made through the Delta Stays platform, powered by Expedia. While these bookings also earn SkyMiles, they don’t earn hotel loyalty points or elite status benefits, so it’s important to compare prices and benefits before booking. Here’s how the credits break down:
Personal Cards:
- Gold: $100 credit for prepaid hotel or vacation rental bookings.
- Platinum: $150 in statement credits per calendar year.
- Reserve: Up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year.
Business Cards:
- Gold Business: $150 credit for prepaid hotel or vacation rental bookings.
- Platinum Business: Up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year.
- Reserve Business: Up to $250 in statement credits per calendar year.
Maximizing the Benefit: While these credits are valuable, compare prices on other platforms before booking. Delta Stays bookings do not earn hotel loyalty points or elite status benefits, which may be a trade-off. For more insights, see our post on Delta Stays. Delta Stays do count as a Delta expense, so cardholders earn 3X SkyMiles per dollar spent on stays booked through Delta.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Up to $200 Annual Hotel Credit
This premium card offers up to $200 back in statement credits each year for prepaid bookings made through Amex Travel for Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection. A two-night minimum stay is required for The Hotel Collection bookings.
Details to Remember: The credit applies only to prepaid bookings through the designated programs. Pay Later or Pay at Hotel bookings are not eligible, so plan accordingly. For a deeper dive into this benefit, check out our detailed guide. Fine Hotels + Resorts bookings often include valuable perks such as complimentary breakfast, room upgrades (when available), and late checkout, enhancing the value of your stay.
Final Thoughts
Using these credits effectively requires a little planning. When choosing the right way to book a hotel, consider how much value you place on loyalty points, status benefits, and luxury perks. Also, remember to compare prices across multiple platforms to ensure you’re getting the best deal for your trip. Which card’s hotel benefits work best for you? Let us know in the comments below!
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